An Analytical Examination of Selected Topics in the Book

First: The Principal Theme of the Book

The main theme of the book is apparent from its very title. At the outset the author—may Allah have mercy on him—states that his purpose is to draw attention to one of the great maxims and foundational principles of Islam, namely:

• the prohibition of imitating the disbelievers;
• the command to steer clear of their conduct in general and of their festivals in particular;
• the elucidation of the wisdom behind this ruling; and
• the evidence in the Sacred Law for opposing the People of the Book, the non-Arabs,(1) and others.

The roots of this issue are firmly established in the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of His Messenger—peace and blessings be upon him and his family—the guidance of the righteous predecessors, and the accumulated reports on the matter.

Before delving into its various topics, I wish to alert the reader to three important points concerning this work:

First: Taken as a whole, this book represents a unique, detailed study of a crucial and weighty matter in the life of Muslims—a subject that constitutes one of the pillars of Islamic creed. The author—may Allah have mercy on him—has thoroughly addressed the prohibition of resembling